Source: Northern_Echo
Boro boss eyes big transfers
GARETH SOUTHGATE has reassured Middlesbrough supporters that despite the clubs failure to sell either Tuncay Sanli or Afonso Alves, none of his top transfer targets have slipped through the net.
Ahead of tonights Championship trip to Scunthorpe, the Boro manager has been told that he cannot recruit any more new faces until he offloads some of the clubs high earners.
But news that Ajax are preparing to offer Alves an end to his Boro nightmare amid growing interest in Tuncay from several Premier League clubs, including Sunderland, could herald an end to Southgates transfer embargo.
While Southgate declared that it would take an exceptional offer to persuade him to part with defender Robert Huth hes resigned to losing Alves and Tuncay in the next two weeks.
Alves rejected a reported move to Qatari outfit Al-Ahli last week but a move to the Dutch giants is expected to hold greater appeal for the Brazilian who is desperate to revive his career following a disastrous 18 months on Teesside.
Preliminary discussion have taken place between Ajax and Alves representatives, who revealed a French club is also interested in recruiting the 28-year-old.
I would like to bring in some fresh faces, said Southgate.
We cant stockpile players but if we lose people we must replace them. I leave the people higher up in the club do deal with rumours and all of the other nonsense.
I know exactly the players I want. Well have to move quickly if what I expect to happen does happen in the next week or so.
We havent missed out on any players wed like to sign.
It would be a concern if things drag on because clubs may be unwilling to sell people they may have let go a couple of weeks ago.
The Boro boss, however, denied interest in recruiting Aberdeen targetman Lee Miller.
Jeremie Aliadiere has failed to recover from his hamstring strain and the French forward wont return to training until the end of this week while Didier Digard is still sidelined.
Southgate will consider handing Tuncay a start at Glanford Park this evening where he expects a tougher test than Saturdays routine victory over Swansea.
It would be foolish not to have Tuncay in our squad, he said. I know that hell give me everything hes got if I ask him to play.
We wont get away with some of things we did at Swansea down at Scunthorpe and Ill hammer that home.
Weve got a much harder game on our hands on Tuesday night and if any of our players dont realise that than they are in for a very rude awakening.
We cant get carried away by one win because we need another 25 to get to where we want to. I saw Scunthorpe win last week against Chesterfield they are a good team, their front four cause problems.
Gary ONeil is not training between matches after delaying a hernia operation until the end of August. Southgate added: Hes an experienced player and the fittest at the club so he doesnt physically need to train, so hes not involved in the fitness side of training we just prepare him for games.
He was excellent on Saturday and epitomises the mentality that we need.
Boro: Coyne; McMahon, Wheater, Huth, Grounds, Yeates, Williams, ONeil, A Johnson, Lita , Emnes.
